Matt Smith officially leaving Doctor Who

Credit: BBC

First it was rumored.

And then, suddenly, it was denied.

But now it's back to being a two-heartbreaking reality: Matt Smith is leaving Doctor Who at the end of 2013.

The BBC made it official today, announcing that Smith will appear in the 50th Anniversary special in November, and then regenerate in the 2013 Christmas Special a month later. The news signals the end of a stellar four-year run for Smith as the Eleventh Doctor. The actor has been tremendously popular in the role, among new fans and diehards alike, so the idea of Smith's Eleven regenerating is kind of surreal, in and of itself. Not that anyone thought he'd be The Doctor forever, but it's jarring to discover just how soon his run will be coming to an end. Many suspected we'd get at least one more season. But alas...

Smith released a statement through the BBC regarding his exit:

"Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It's been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he's a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I've never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It's been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with 'the ginger, the nose and the impossible one'. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt."

Meanwhile, showrunner and lead writer Steven Moffat released a statement of his own concerning Smith's exit, as well as the actor's tenure as the Eleventh Doctor:

"Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he'd turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him - sometimes literally - his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.

But great actors always know when it's time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt - bow ties were never cooler.

Of course, this isn't the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now - all unknowing, just going about their business - is someone who's about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that's still so exciting!"

The nature of The Eleventh Doctor's demise and regeneration is being kept so tightly under wraps, you'd think Moffat and co. were guarding nuclear launch codes. Smith's co-star Jenna Louise-Coleman is expected to release a statement within the weekend, while Matt Smith himself will release a special video message to his fans. Until then, let the dream-casting begin. And no, I'm not talking Sega.

Via: BBC